Collapsible skipping- box



Much s, 192s.

J. H. DE BOER oLLAPsIBLE SHIPPING Box March 6, 1928. 1,661,527

J. H. DE BOER j COLLAPS IBLE SHIPPING BOX Filed NOV. 20. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 S in VEN-r0.1?

#fr ss BVM Mmh 6, 192s.

J. H. DE BOER coLLAPsIBLE SHIPPING Box 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 WIT/v ss `Nal'czh 6, 1928. 1,661,527

^ J. H. DE BOER COLLAPS IBLE SHIPPING BOX Filed Nov. zo. 1924 4 sheets-'sheet 4 NVf/'VTR BVM f f A A f77-7' RNE Ys Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

T FICE.

JOHN HENRY IDE BOER, OF SYRACUSE, :MEW YORK.

CDLLAPSIBLE SHITENG BOX.

Application filed. November 20, i924. SeriaLNo. 751,674.

rlhis invention relates to a collapsible shipping case adapted to be made in relatively large sizes for the transportation of furniture and analogous objects requiring careful packing for safe transportation by any of the usual carriers without marring.

These cases when properly constructed,y

are necessarily too expensive for destruction at the end of their destination of the contents and unless collapsible into compact space(R would also involve considerable eX- pense in return transportation when empty, and the main object of my present invention is to provide a collapsible transportation case composed of six sections or units7 .one each for the bottom and top, a pair of similar sections for the sides and a pair of similar end sections, all of which may be easily and quickly united at the corners by suitable clamping means to form a strong and durable structure or may be as easily detached, placed one upon the other in compact relation for return transportation when emptied, thereby permitting the indefinite re-use of the same case for the transportation of furniture and other goods and also permitting the return transportation of the empty cases at a comparatively low transportation rate such as would justify the re-use of the case.

Another object is to provide a collapsible case in which the several sections may be re versed end for end and clamped together at the corners by the same clamping means.

A further object is to arrange the holes for the clamping bolts in such manner that at least some or all of the bolts may be used for clamping the sections in knocked-down stacked positions.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the different case structures will be briiiught out in the following description.

ln the drawings Figure l4 is a perspective view of a collapsible shipping case in which the several sections are assembled for use as a container for il'urniture or other objects.

Figures 2 and 8 are respectively, a tra-nsverse vertical sectional View and a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same case taken respectively on lines and 3-3, Figure l.

lligure l is a perspective view of the same case collapsed with the sections stacked one upon the other and clamped together for ree e'liiinnieiiit.,

Il l] Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a longi- `tudinal vertical sectional view and a transverse vertical sectional view taken on lines :3.-5 and 6-6 Figure 4i.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of case having its sections assembled for use as a container for articles to be shipped.

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively, a transverse vertical sectional view and a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on lines 8-8, and 9-9, Figure 7.

Figure l() is a perspective view of the several sections of the case shown in Figure 'i'. collapsed and secured together in stacked relation.

Figure ll a longitudinal sectional view taken on line limit, Figure l0.

Figure l2 is a perspective view of two of the upright side walls of the case shown in Figure 7, clamped together.

These cases are preferably made rectangular in form and of any suitable dimensions or materials capable of being manufactured at a minimum cost and of retaining their shape and integrity under varying shipping` and storage conditions and also of protecting the contents from injury.

Each case preferably comprises six units or sections, viz, a bottom section as -l, a top section as Q-1 a pair of side sections 3- and a pair of end sections -l-, as shown in Figures i to t inclusive in which the lining of each section forms the main body thereof, reinforced by suitable externals bars, or the case may be made of the same number of sections, namely7 a bottom section -l-, a top section -2, opposite `side sections -m and opposite end secA tions #lin which the top. sides and end sections are composed mainly of slats in spaced relation and covered by an inner lining to form a smooth and continuous interior surface in which the articles to be shipped are placed as shown in Figures 'i' to l2 inclusive.

rlhe bottom section -lshown in Figures l to 6 inclusive, consists of a rectangular frame composed of opposite pairs of similar supporting bars -5 and a floor -.G, the bars of each pair being extended along and in close proximity to the opposite lengthwise edges of the bottom section in transversely spaced relation for receiving and supporting the floor which is or otherwise faces of the bars and preferably consists of a series of boards or planks arranged edge to edge in close juxaposition throughout the length ofthe bottom section, .so that the outer faces of the outermost bars and corresponding edges of the door boards Will lie in substantially the same vertical planes and determine the interior Width of the box and also form abutments for the lower edges of the side sections.

The ends of the bottom section extend longitudinally under the lower edges of the end sections to form supports therefor.

The several boards or planks forming the floor .of the bottom section Dlmay be tied together by the binding stripsl MT- of sheet metal or equivalent material, said bars 5- and lloor boards f5-- being preferably made of Wood er other light, strong and economical material.

lf desired, the intermediate portions of the bars -.5-- of each pair may be used to receive interposed labels 49- ot nfietal or other suitable material, both ends of each bar being sin'iilarly vbeveled at --l- Figure 3, to permit said bars te be usedcfts skids whereby the loaded case may be more readily movedalong a floor or other support.

The end sections Jbdetermine the in "terior Width and height et the case and prefu Aerably consists of rectangular frames -'lland inner linings 11:2-A nailed or otherwise secured thereto to form a unitary part there the linings M12- lbeing braced by a central `hori'fiontal rail -l3-q and a pair of vertical rails 14M which also form unitary parts of their respective end sections, the upright bars ,-ltbeing arranged in spaced relation and suitably secured to the central bar H13-'and lower and upper rails of the frame ll#- to cooperate with the central bar -llin bracing the fra me and maintaining its rectangular form.

The lower edges of the end sections rest upon the upper faces ot the adjacent portions of the lloor --9M of the section -1- and are detachably secured thereto by clamping devices consisting in this instance, vof bolts --l5 and thumb nuts d6-r the bolts passing through registering apertures ,in the lower rails of the frame --llq and ,adjacent portions of the lloor 9- ofthe ertures in the top rail of the end frame -ll-- and overlying portions ot the 'top section With the nuts on the underside of the .top .rail .of the yframes of the end sections Where they are accessible for tighten ing and loosening and permitting the to sections to be removed and replaced at Wil As illustrated, the top section preferably consists ot a rectangular frame --19u and an inner lining *20- together with lengthwise 'bars -:2i'- ancL cross bars -22-, the bars of each set being arranged in parallel spaced relation and secured to each other at their intersections and. to the side and end rails of the frame -l9 of which they form a unitary part, the inner lining 20- being also nailed or otherwise secured to the inner faces of the frame -19- and bars lll-- and -QQ to form ay smooth inner surface for the top section.

'll he side sections #lare also rectangular in cross section and of somewhat greater arca than the interior longitudinal vertical area of the case so that their marginal edges may overlap upon the opposite lengthwise edges of the bottom section -land top section E and also upon the opposite upright enges oi the end sections -'l-.

The overlapping portions of the side eeetions and adjacent portions of the outer hars -5 of the bottom section 4lare provided with registering bolt openings for reccivf clamping bolts -23- havf'ing ez;- ternal nuts by which the bolts may be tightened and loosened permitting the side sections to be attached to and dctached from the bottom section.

The upper edges ot the side sections and :nljaccut side rails of the top frame l/t are also provided with rc" V"bolt holes for receiving boltsI @2.3- f external ha vii l .nuts --26- by which the bolts may be 'ightened and loosened to permit the top sections to be removed and replaced from a upon the side sections.

rlhe end edges of the sidc sections -land adjacent upright rails ofthe frames --ll of the end sections st are also provided with registcrii i' bolt openings for receivirm clamping bolts 27- having external nuts 28M which may be tightened and loosened lo permit the side secti is to be ren'ioved or replaced from and upon the end sections.

Each side section is similar and is preferably divided verticallj at --30-- midway between its ends for convenience of handling and stacking in collapsed position, the op posite halves being flexibly connected at the joint by external hinges -l-A which permits them to be folded flatwise one upon the other. V

As illustrated, each side section is cornposed of an inner lining '32 -and upright brace bars nBSM, B4- and e354n arfill) ranged in parallel spaced relation so that portions of the end bars 3dand the ad* jacent portions of the lining -32- may overlap upon the opposite upright edges ot the end sections the central bars S5- being arranged in close relation at Opposite sides of a division line 30"- to alg'- lford suitable attaching means tor the hinges El- It will non' be seen that when the parts are assembled, the floor panels -6, side panels -32-, top panel 2O and end panelsI 12H constitute a practically c tinuous smooth and unbroken interior l ing; for the case against which the art/ cles to be shipped may be paclred with a mini mum liability of becomingv marred or brolrcn and While the door panel --6- is preferably made of Wood or plank for strength and Wear, it together with the remaining panels may be made ot any other light, strong,` and durable material such for example, as sheet metal, heavy cardboard or the like, all ot said panels being` reinforced by the external brace bars of their respective sections previously described.

t Will be seen from the foregoing descrip-- tion that either end section may be removed Without displacing any of the other sections which permits the articles to be closely and compactly paclred Within the case in manner similar to the process ot' lilling a turniture van and when the case is filled the previously removed end head or section may be restored and clamped in place by the bolts --l7- and W27-a with the assurance that every article Within the case Will be protected from injury from contact with external objects and it properly packed, against friction one with the other.

In a similar manner, either ot the side sections may be removed without disturbing any of the other sections in ease it should be desired to paclr the case from the side instead of from the end.

The bolt holes which, receive the clamping bolts for clamping); the arious sections to retirer are arranged in such manner that either section may be reversed end tor end `and placed in operative position with the afisurance that its bolt openings for receivingv the clampinbolts Will be registered with other bolt openings in the adjacent j'piortions ot the other sections lu asserubbing` the various sections of thc case, the bottom section lirst laid l'lativisc upon the floor or other support, the end sections are then placed in operative position and clamped in place with their lower ends resting upon the end edges of the floor of the bottom section after Which the top sec-- tion may be placed in operative position and clamped in place upon the upper edges ot the end sections following which, the side sections are placed in operative position and clamped in place in the manner described to the adjacent sides ot the tramos oit the bottom and top sections and also to the adjacent edges ot the trames of the end sections thereby producing a rigid case which with the load therein may be handled with safety in shipping' or in storage with a n'iinimuin liability ot injury to the contents or to the case.

lllheu the case With the contents therein reaches its destination and the contents are removed by det-aching one oil the side sections or end sections or all of the sections in the manner previously explained, said de* tached sections may be stacked lativise one upon the other in the manner shown in Figures el to o inclusive by simply laying the bottom section in an inverted position latvvise upon a lloor or other support, then folding` the two halves ot each side section, one upon the other and layingthem in a folded portion 'latwise upon the inner .tace of the l'loor between the innermost bars -5- after which, the end sections are laid tlativise one upon the other and upon the uppermost folded site section ready to ccive the top section Which is then placed flatwise upon the uppermost end section. following which, the several sections in their collapsed relation are secured together by tie bars -LlO- arranged in spaced relation along` the longitudinal edges ot the bottom and top sections and bolted thereto by some ot the previously described clamping bolts using` such bolt holes in the bottom and top sections as may be most convenient 'for the proper disposition ot the tie bars d0-q thus permitting the collapsed sections to be handled as a unit .in return transportation.

The construction set forth in Figures 7 to l2 inclusive is somewhat similar to that previously described except that a greater number of brace bars or slats for supporting;i the inner linings of the top, sides and end sections are used and the side sections are made as rigid units instead ot' being` divided inid- Way between their ends, and the opposite halves are not foldable one upon the other as in the construction shown in Figures l to G inclusive.

rlille bottom section ml/U consists of a rectangular ,traine JVM and a floor -lw preferably ot boards, plank or equivalent strips secured edge to edge to 'the upper 'lace olf the Atrame which latter is provided al one end with a. supplemental end bar held in spaced relation to the adjacent portions, of the trame -5- by spacing;1 blocks --im preferably at the center and ends of the adjacent portions ot the frame to permit the lovver ends ot the slats of the adjacent end section to be inserted in the intervening spaces as a part of the means for retaining the .said rnd section in operative position when the :v-:everal sections are assembled tor Ill() use and also to permitsaid kend section fto be removed and replaced Without disturbing' any ofthe otherseetions as `for example, When furniture or other articles are being packed Within or Aremoved trom the case.

This removable end .section -4- eon sists ol a rectangular' frame -llof upright slats -c-'-, lower, intermediate and upper cross bars cand a diagonal brace bar -obetween the lower and intermediate bars Q/4 together with an inner lining 42 which is secured vb v any suitable lfastening means to the inner laces of the upright slats -c and is substantially co-erztensive with the interior cross sectional area of the case, the cross `bars -i"- and brace bar -cbeing mailed or otherwise securedto the outer laces of the upright slats -cto hold the latter in parallel spaced relation.

The upper edge of Vthe upper cross bars w-0- is disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane as the upper edges of the side sections and the opposite end section, Whilethe lowercross ba r cis disposed in a horizontal plane somo distance above the lower edges of the upright slats c- Which therefore, project below the lower cross bar `lior insertion into the spaces f1/1 see Figure 117 between the end bar -afand adjacent portion of the bottom frame -5 The other end section 4' -is similar to that previously described in that itconsists of a series of upright slats held in spaced relation by lower, intermediate and upper cross bars --cand a brace bar -cby .the lower cross bar -o--, and is arranged in the pla-ne of ythe bottom section opposite the bar -z-.

The lower edge of this end section loverlaps upon the corresponding edge of the bottoni section and is lsecured thereto by bolts rf- The side sections -3- are similar .and each comprises a series of upright slats -33- held in parallel spaced relation by- `lower and upper cross bars -c-.and L7/m Vand diagonal brace bars as shown in Figures 47 and l2 the 4inner faces ot the slats of each section being covered, with a :lining MBZ- of relatively thin Wood, metal inerte? ond flange as w-g adapted to overlap .upon the outer faces of the upper' ends of the slats of the side sections and one of the end sections, rwhen the parts are assembled, said tlanges forming a unitary part o't the top section.

These flangesare'provided with bolt openings i'or receiving bolts -fby which the top section may be detachably clamped to the adjacent port-ions of the side and end seetions.

'l1 he adjacent edges of the side and end sections are connected by hinge clips mhaving removable connecting pins -awhich when inserted in the eyes ot the hinge sections1 lirmly hold the side and end sections together at the corners but may be with drawn when desired to permit the side and end sections to be detached one from the other as for example, when collapsing the ease and stacking the several sections as shown in Figures l0 and 11, or the side sections may be clamped together as shown in Figure 2, by portions of 4the same ybolts du and -L- preparatory to stacking the sections one upon the other for ire-shipment in close compact space.

t will be observed that the bottom section -lhas a marginal flange extending around all tour sides thereof in addition to the extra cross bar w-aforming recesses -a-, Figure ll, so that if it should be desired to remove the Vadjacent end section -l to permit thegoods to be packed Within or removed trom the case., it is simply ecessary to remove the corresponding locking pins -aand the nuts oM ot the corresponding bolts whereupon the upper portion of said end section may be drawn outwardly and then li'lited to remove the lower ends 0i its slats trom the recesses #d'- leaving the remaining sections of the case rigidly connected to eachother.

ln order to collapse the crate for re-s'hipment, the bolts -zefor fastening the. top section to the side sections and one ont the end sections may be removed to permit the top section to be displaced and laid ,aside after which the locking pins dfi, nuts "0- and nuts dm of .the corresponding bolts are removed thus permitting the side and end sections to be removed.

The bottom section `is then laid tlatwise upon the iioor and the end sect-ions placed flativise one upon the other and upon the tloor of the bottom section following which the top section may be placed ilatwise upon the uppermost end section and clamped thereto `bv tie pieces -l0- using some of the bolts dfand 7L in the previously `formed openings in the bottom and top sections to clamp the tie pieces in place.

The side sections which have been previously clamped together as shown in Figure l2, he laid f datvvise upon tbe top see- A lll() lli tion or if desired inay be placed between the bottoin and top sections With the end sections by simply using longer tie pieces -l-O-.

The bolts YFor receiving the nuts may be 'fastened to the inner ifa'ces et the adjacent portions of the side pieces and extended through openings in the adjacent end section ttor receivingseid nuts.

ln both ino/li tcations oit the case, Will be observed that at lessi; one of the end sections may be reinoved Witlniut displacing any oit the other end sections to perniit the parking and removal of the goods within and troni the f` ont that the bottoni7 top, side and end sections are inade as separate units detacnobly connected to each other so that they may e :ptaclred liatwise one upon the other for re-ship1nent in relatively sinall compact space thus permitting an indelinite re-nse oil the parts ot the saine case.

QQt will also be observed that `when the several tions are asenibled in a manner described, the linings on the inner faces thereoil' enjoin erich other :it the corners and torno a smooth inner sur'tace lor protecting the contents from injury by abrasion or by i lnal elements.

"he binding strips 7- between the corners pm3- serve not only to bind the floor boards together but. also to reinforce the` ln Figures 7 to 12 inclusive, the recesses afm between the outer rails aand inner rails ".5 forno upright sockets in which the lower ends et the slats of the side and end sections are slidable so that when inserted in the sockets they are locked in place against lateral n'ioveinent between the innerI and outer rails -aand -w with out interfering' with the tree upward displacement of the side and end sections from the bottom section When it is desired to reinove the sections for stacking; one upon the other.

li claim:

ln a collapsible shipping box composed of separably connected sections, a bottom section having a licor and underlying shippin-L)` bars therefor, opposite upright side sections each comprising,` two substantially equal parts hingedly connected together and having; their lower edges overlying upon the outer faces of the bottoni section, opposite upright end sections rising troni corresponding` ends ci the bottoni section, a top section niounted upon the upper edges of the end sect-ions and having opposed outer faces overlaid by the upper edges of the side sections, said side sections, end sections and the top section being provided with inner linings coextensive with the areas thereof, clamping devices for conne-retin@` and disconnecting the side and end sections to the bot-tom section and additional clampingdevices for connecting; and disconnecting the top section to the side and end sections.

ln Witness whereof l have hereunto set Iny hand this th day of November 1924.

JOHN HENRY DE BOER. 

